The key facts

  • Bennett announced that his Together party will recommend Eisenkot as the government-former
  • According to official election results, Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 mandates, the opposition 48, and the Arab parties 19; 61 are needed for a majority
  • Consultations with President Herzog will begin on November 4; the candidate will receive 28 days with a possible 14-day extension

Bennett's recommendation strengthens Eisenkot's position

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced on Sunday that his parliamentary bloc will recommend that President Isaac Herzog task Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government. According to Anadolu, the decision was made on Bennett's instructions, who had informed Eisenkot himself in advance. The party's statement emphasizes that during the election campaign Bennett promised to respect the voters' choice, and this support is consistent with that commitment.

The line-up after the elections to the 26th Knesset

The elections to the 26th Knesset took place on Tuesday, and the final results were officially published on Friday by the Central Elections Committee. Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party won 27 mandates, Eisenkot's Yashar 21, Bennett's Together bloc 12, and Golan's Democrats party 8. The Joint List won 11 seats, and the United Arab List (Raam) 8. Overall, Netanyahu's bloc received 53 mandates against 48 for the opposition parties and 19 for the Arab parties — none of the main blocs reached the 61 mandates out of 120 needed for a majority. Turnout was 77.9%.

What comes next

According to Channel 12, cited by Anadolu, the Democrats party led by Yair Golan also intends to recommend Eisenkot at the upcoming presidential consultations, although Golan himself has made no official statement. Developments are unfolding against the backdrop of opposition parties' attempts to coordinate their recommendations, while Netanyahu's camp continues working to secure a ruling majority. Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg is to hand the official results to Herzog on November 4; the same day, the president will begin consultations with representatives of the elected parties and blocs. The candidate who receives the mandate will initially have 28 days to form a government, with the possibility of a 14-day extension.